***NON-POLITICAL COVID-19 Discussion Thread***

[JakeF]

A couple of reminders...

Originally Posted by Bwana

Once again, don't come in this thread with some kind of political agenda, or you will be shown the door. If you want to go that route, there is a thread about this in DC.

Originally Posted by Dartgod

People, there is a lot of good information in this thread, let's try to keep the petty bickering to a minimum.

We all have varying opinions about the impact of this, the numbers, etc. We will all never agree with each other. But we can all keep it civil.

Thanks!

Click here for the original OP:

Spoiler!

Apparently the CoronaVirus can survive on a inanimate objects, such as door knobs, for 9 days.

California coronavirus case could be first spread within U.S. community, CDC says
By SOUMYA KARLAMANGLA, JACLYN COSGROVE
FEB. 26, 2020 8:04 PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating what could be the first case of novel coronavirus in the United States involving a patient in California who neither recently traveled out of the country nor was in contact with someone who did.

“At this time, the patient’s exposure is unknown. It’s possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States,” the CDC said in a statement. “Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. It’s also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.”

The individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The CDC said the “case was detected through the U.S. public health system — picked up by astute clinicians.”

Officials at UC Davis Medical Center expanded on what the federal agency might have meant by that in an email sent Wednesday, as reported by the Davis Enterprise newspaper.

The patient arrived at UC Davis Medical Center from another hospital Feb. 19 and “had already been intubated, was on a ventilator, and given droplet protection orders because of an undiagnosed and suspected viral condition,” according to an email sent by UC Davis officials that was obtained by the Davis Enterprise.

The staff at UC Davis requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC, but because the patient didn’t fit the CDC’s existing criteria for the virus, a test wasn’t immediately administered, according to the email. The CDC then ordered the test Sunday, and results were announced Wednesday. Hospital administrators reportedly said in the email that despite these issues, there has been minimal exposure at the hospital because of safety protocols they have in place.

A UC Davis Health spokesperson declined Wednesday evening to share the email with The Times.

Since Feb. 2, more than 8,400 returning travelers from China have entered California, according to the state health department. They have been advised to self-quarantine for 14 days and limit interactions with others as much as possible, officials said.

“This is a new virus, and while we are still learning about it, there is a lot we already know,” Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the U.S., and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the U.S. would be in California.”

It is not clear how the person became infected, but public health workers could not identify any contacts with people who had traveled to China or other areas where the virus is widespread. That raises concern that the virus is spreading in the United States, creating a challenge for public health officials, experts say.

“It’s the first signal that we could be having silent transmission in the community,” said Lawrence Gostin, director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law. “It probably means there are many more cases out there, and it probably means this individual has infected others, and now it’s a race to try to find out who that person has infected.”

On Tuesday, the CDC offered its most serious warning to date that the United States should expect and prepare for the coronavirus to become a more widespread health issue.

“Ultimately, we expect we will see coronavirus spread in this country,” said Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “It’s not so much a question of if, but a question of when.”

According to the CDC’s latest count Wednesday morning, 59 U.S. residents have tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus — 42 of whom are repatriated citizens from a Diamond Princess cruise. That number has grown by two since Messonnier’s last count Tuesday, although the CDC was not immediately available to offer details on the additional cases.

More than 82,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported globally, and more than 2,700 people have died, with the majority in mainland China, the epicenter of the outbreak.

But public health leaders have repeatedly reminded residents that the health risk from the novel coronavirus to the general public remains low.

“While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate,” the state Department of Public Health said in a statement Wednesday. “From the international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80% do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization. There have been no confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States to date.”

CDC officials have also warned that although the virus is likely to spread in U.S. communities, the flu still poses a greater risk.

Gostin said the news of potential silent transmission does not eliminate the possibility of containing the virus in the U.S. and preventing an outbreak.

“There are few enough cases that we should at least try,” he said. “Most of us are not optimistic that that will be successful, but we’re still in the position to try.”

[KS Smitty]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I think the thing that sucks the most about all of this (obviously aside from people who become seriously ill) is just not really ever knowing what the appropriate level of risk aversion is. A friend of mine died a couple of weeks ago, and the funeral was inside at a funeral home. Ostensibly they were following the social distancing guidelines (and masks were required), but there's no way in hell that I was 6 feet away from people. Should I have just skipped my friend's funeral?

Last night, I suddenly developed a pretty severe sore throat. Today, I've got some nasal drainage and a mild cough. My wife and I are going camping this weekend, which will require stopping at some gas stations, and we were hoping to find a sports bar with a patio somewhere that we could watch the Avs game tomorrow. But should I just call off our entire weekend because of some mild symptoms that vaguely COULD be COVID?

It just sucks never really knowing what the right answer is.

If you have no way to rapid test then IMO, unfortunately, yes. What would you tell someone who presented that scenario to you?

As far as the funeral goes, if you felt you needed to be there then that's where you should have been. Paying respects to your friend and his survivors (including you) should help with the grieving process. Sorry for your loss.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by TLO

I agree 100%. It has made navigating work the past months very difficult. The symptoms to look out for now are so broad that it feels impossible to know what the right answer is.



Do you have someplace nearby that can offer you a rapid test?

I filled out the form for a COVID consult with my provider, and it said my symptoms didn't warrant a test.

[Donger]

For the Colorado CPers primarily:

[sedated]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I filled out the form for a COVID consult with my provider, and it said my symptoms didn't warrant a test.

That's a big part of the problem. That's been told to others who ended up having it.

Testing is so key with this one, while you may never have anything more than a sore throat, someone else could end up in the hospital.

Or it could just be a sore throat.

[Donger]

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/07/hawa...s-surging.html

Hawaii reinstates coronavirus restrictions: ‘There’s no question that the virus is surging’

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I filled out the form for a COVID consult with my provider, and it said my symptoms didn't warrant a test.

Ask them what would warrant a test and tell them you have that as well

[jdubya]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I think the thing that sucks the most about all of this (obviously aside from people who become seriously ill) is just not really ever knowing what the appropriate level of risk aversion is. A friend of mine died a couple of weeks ago, and the funeral was inside at a funeral home. Ostensibly they were following the social distancing guidelines (and masks were required), but there's no way in hell that I was 6 feet away from people. Should I have just skipped my friend's funeral?

Last night, I suddenly developed a pretty severe sore throat. Today, I've got some nasal drainage and a mild cough. My wife and I are going camping this weekend, which will require stopping at some gas stations, and we were hoping to find a sports bar with a patio somewhere that we could watch the Avs game tomorrow. But should I just call off our entire weekend because of some mild symptoms that vaguely COULD be COVID?

It just sucks never really knowing what the right answer is.

If you feel well enough to travel, why not go? Whether you have allergies, Covid, the flu or Strep......you can take precautions to protect others. If you are traveling with susceptiple/fragile folks, then I`d stay home regardless of covid or not.

PS: Take Donger with you......he is Jonesing to get out of the house again and has a road trip game called "100 questions". Yall will have a blast

[jdubya]

Originally Posted by Donger

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/07/hawa...s-surging.html

Hawaii reinstates coronavirus restrictions: ‘There’s no question that the virus is surging’

I didnt realize Hawaii ever let up on restrictions. I know incoming flights have required 14 day quarantines since nearly the beginning of all this.

[MahomesMagic]

Just got off the phone with a friend that lives there. Their current strategy requires they can't allow travel back in...they are stuck.

[Chitownchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by TLO

I agree 100%. It has made navigating work the past months very difficult. The symptoms to look out for now are so broad that it feels impossible to know what the right answer is.

Do you have someplace nearby that can offer you a rapid test?

I get it. I had my first child in March and neither of my parents have met him yet because both of my parents live out of state. We've decided not to take any risks with our child since so little is known of the long term effects.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I filled out the form for a COVID consult with my provider, and it said my symptoms didn't warrant a test.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by TLO

I agree 100%. It has made navigating work the past months very difficult. The symptoms to look out for now are so broad that it feels impossible to know what the right answer is.

Do you have someplace nearby that can offer you a rapid test?

Thought we would come in better today but late reporting is pushing things. Still looks to be less than last Friday but was hoping for a little better. Texas and CA still ****ing it all up and FL too.

[MahomesMagic]

Covid-19 is a terrible disease, and the primary goal should be to minimise deaths. How is this done? The key is age. The risk of Covid-19 mortality varies more than a thousandfold between the oldest and youngest members of society.

The pandemic will not be over until we reach herd immunity, either through a vaccine or through natural infections. Herd immunity is not a strategy but a proven scientific phenomenon, and to deny that is as silly as denying gravity. With the right strategy, we can even use it to save lives.
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/...ainst-covid-19

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by jdubya

If you feel well enough to travel, why not go? Whether you have allergies, Covid, the flu or Strep......you can take precautions to protect others. If you are traveling with susceptiple/fragile folks, then I`d stay home regardless of covid or not.

PS: Take Donger with you......he is Jonesing to get out of the house again and has a road trip game called "100 questions". Yall will have a blast

I like Donger but there's no way in hell I'd go on a road trip with him. I wonder if his conversations with his wife go the same way.

Mrs Donger: What would you like for dinner tonight?

Donger: What do you mean?

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Just got off the phone with a friend that lives there. Their current strategy requires they can't allow travel back in...they are stuck.

Travel restrictions should have been a thing from Day 1.